In split vote, Council rejects pedestrian safety projects on Turnpike
They had already authorized the spending, but on Monday, the Oak Ridge City Council balked at awarding a $365,000 construction contract that would use red light camera money for pedestrian safety...
View ArticleCouncil agrees to buy car wash to build sewer system tank
A car wash in south Oak Ridge could soon be replaced by a sewer system holding tank. The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday voted 5-1 to buy the car wash, owned by businessman Terry Mulllins, for...
View ArticleCity officials clash over Secret City Festival spending costs
Debate over the costs of the Secret City Festival—and whether the city can afford a $160,000 “party” every year—was briefly renewed again on Monday. The sometimes-rancorous debate came up as the Oak...
View ArticleGuest column: The Oak Ridge High School debt chronicles
The Oak Ridge High School Debt Chronicles—How a $40 Million Project Will Cost Taxpayers Over $126 Million (So Far) It appears that the nearly three-year long debate between the Oak Ridge City Council...
View ArticleCouncil postpones traffic camera vote
Note: This story was last updated at 11:40 a.m. March 4. The Oak Ridge City Council postponed a vote on traffic cameras on Monday. Council had been expected to either extend the five-year contract with...
View ArticleSchool Board, City Council resolve high school debt dispute
Despite opposition from a few residents and municipal officials, the Oak Ridge City Council and Board of Education have resolved a dispute over Anderson County sales tax revenues and debt payments for...
View ArticleCouncil does not extend traffic camera contract
Note: This story was last updated at 8:30 a.m. March 25. After five years, some vigorous opposition, and a few contentious meetings, the traffic cameras in Oak Ridge will be removed. The Oak Ridge City...
View ArticleLee keeps seat on housing board despite Council member’s removal request
Note: This story was last updated at 11:20 p.m. Those who wanted to remove Joe Lee from a municipal housing board said he had shown contempt for Oak Ridge City Council members, insulted traffic camera...
View ArticleCity to use traffic camera money for parking lot work at Blankenship Field
The Oak Ridge City Council agreed last week in a 5-2 vote to use $180,000 in traffic camera money for improvements to the lower parking lot at Blankenship Field, which is used for football games and...
View ArticleLetter: Three Rotary clubs launch successful Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival
To the Editor: What happens when three Rotary clubs in an East Tennessee city work together? In Oak Ridge, a three-club collaboration over the past year culminated in a highly successful inaugural...
View ArticleIn first vote this month, Council rejects schools request for tax increase
Note: This story was last updated at 9:55 a.m. June 10. In the first of two votes this month, the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday rejected a request from school officials for a 37-cent tax rate...
View ArticleIn final vote, City Council again rejects tax increase for schools
Note: This story was last updated at 11:15 a.m. June 17. Two last-minute attempts to pass smaller-than-requested tax increases for the Oak Ridge Schools failed on Monday, and the City Council voted...
View ArticleGuest column: Oak Ridge—a city teetering—which way will it go?
By Bob Eby Friday, June 20 This week, I experienced great joy and significant sadness. The joy was being with my daughter and son-in-law as she birthed our first grandchild and we brought her home from...
View ArticleGuest column: Council looks to future in policy, planning meetings
Note: This is a brief report to the town on Oak Ridge City Council meetings on policy and planning. Following a vote in June to do so, City Council has been having two policy and planning meetings each...
View ArticlePumpkin Bagel Fest features fundraising, ‘bagel chunking fun’
Many know what pumpkin chunking is—the act of turning a pumpkin into a projectile, but few have seen it done with a bagel. Yes, those round doughy breakfast items will be flung on Saturday, October 18,...
View ArticleLetter: Hope wants to be mayor, focus on schools, jobs, housing
To my fellow City Council members, I am asking you to consider me as a possible candidate for mayor, when we meet next Monday night. It would be a honor to become the next mayor of the City of Oak...
View ArticleFour City Council members say they’d like to be mayor
Note: This story was updated at 3:03 p.m. Four members of the new Oak Ridge City Council that starts Monday have announced that they would like to be mayor. One would like to also be considered for...
View ArticleGooch elected mayor, Smith mayor pro tem
Note: This story was last updated at 9 a.m. Nov. 25. New Oak Ridge City Council member Warren Gooch has been appointed mayor, and returning City Council member Ellen Smith has been elected mayor pro...
View ArticleSchool Board could make Preschool recommendation tonight
Note: This story was last updated at 12:25 p.m. It’s been on the city’s wish list for decades, but city and school officials now appear closer to finding a solution to repairing or replacing the...
View ArticleTwo more Council members object to process used by Baughn
Two more Oak Ridge City Council members last week expressed regret about the process that was used by fellow Council member Trina Baughn to raise concerns about the Police Department and its chief....
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